Christmas in August --- You can win a prize! Ha!

[Mike Buckley]

This image will be my upcoming annual holiday card. I made it so far in advance so I can eventually take advantage of printing discounts that are typically offered long before December.

PRIZE: The admittedly silly prize mentioned in the thread title is that I will send a card anywhere in the world to the first person who accurately posts the number of candy canes in the jar. Your only hint is that the jar is about 9.75 inches (24.77 cm) tall. One posted quantity per person.

Setup
The tabletop is textured charcoal fabric. The background is black felt positioned to fill the frame no more and no less (though the background in the image would have been black even if I had instead used a white card). A circular diffuser extending beyond all sides of the background is immediately behind it.

First capture: A medium continuous-light lamp is behind the diffuser shining toward the subject and camera. That diffused light produced the bright tones (direct reflections) that define the edges of the glass jar. Second capture: A handheld LED flashlight set at about half power and fitted with a custom snoot is above and in front of the subject, positioned to properly light the candy canes without producing direct reflections in the glass in the area of the candy. The light from the flashlight bled into the bright tones that define the edges of the jar, resulting in those important tones having less brightness and clarity. So, the two captures were merged to combine the candy canes from the second capture with everything else from the first capture.

Note: If you try this method of lighting transparent glass, be aware that it usually produces flare that reduces contrast. I normally eliminate the flare by positioning a black card with a rectangular hole cut in it in front of the lens. I reviewed the test shots before doing this and liked them so much that I decided to forego repeating the shots using the black card. The flare was minimal where it was evident and it did not affect the subject, so I handled that issue very easily during post-processing.

[bje07]

Congratulations Mike, wonderful result!!

[Shadowman]

Nice, the glass looks electric.

[FootLoose]

Very nice, Mike.

[bnnrcn]

Great !

[Mike Buckley]

Thanks, all!

[Donald]

42.

[Wavelength]

Classic

[Kathy O]

Looks Great!! It is as if I could go into the photo and grab me a candy cane out of the jar Love it!

[Minerva]

52

[bje07]

9.75 inches (24.77 mm)

Please read 24.77 cm instead of mm

[Mike Buckley]

Thanks for the correction, Jean. I changed the first post.

[marlunn]

great shot Mike, as always lighting is superb. - 37

[mugge]

Mike, just another great shot. That is all I can say.
Cheers Ole

[Mike Buckley]

Continued thanks to everyone!

[Mike Buckley]

It has been awhile since anyone has posted, so it's time for me to bring the guessing game about the number of candy canes in the jar to an end. The three guesses were 42, 52 and 37. The correct answer is -- drum roll, please -- 106!

[Digital]

Mike, great photograph. I think I was going to guess 100. Do I win a prize?


Bruce

[Mike Buckley]

I think I was going to guess 100. Do I win a prize?

Considering that you only think you know what you were going to guess, no, you don't win a prize.

[Digital]

Considering that you only think you know what you were going to guess, no, you don't win a prize.

Oh shucks!!!!!

[Sunray]

Great Lighting and composition. Hope the candy did taste well
Robert